World leaders in politics, economics and business are preparing to descend on the Alpine resort of Davos in Switzerland for the 44th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Alongside the regular participants – such as the computer billionaire Bill Gates, the former United States vice president Al Gore and Jordan’s Queen Rania – one newcomer threatens to grab the limelight at the ski resort turned power-broking hub.
Hassan Rouhani, the Iranian president, is attending, the first time a head of state from the country has made the trip to Davos in 10 years. He might find himself rubbing shoulders with John Kerry, the US secretary of state, or with Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, who are also attending. Mr Rouhani is scheduled to deliver a “special address” during the three-day meeting, which starts tomorrow.
WEF insiders were tight-lipped as to the possibility of any other meetings involving the Iranian leader. “We hope the forum proves conducive for constructive dialogue,” one said.
Mr Rouhani’s decision to attend comes just days after a further advance in relations with western countries, led by the Americans, over Tehran’s nuclear plans and a loosening of the financial sanctions imposed by Washington.
There is a significant presence among the 2,500 participants at the meeting from Arabian Gulf countries, including the UAE.
Among those scheduled to attend the meeting from the Emirates are Mohammed Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs; Sultan Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy; and Obaid Al Tayer, Minister of State for Financial Affairs.
Several prominent members of the UAE business elite are also scheduled to be at Davos, including Reem Al Hashemi, Minister of State and the managing director of the Dubai World Expo 2020 bid.
Other world leaders include the prime ministers of Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom, respectively Tony Abbott, Shinzo Abe and David Cameron, as well as Park Geun-hye, the president of South Korea.
The WEF said: “This year’s meeting convenes with the world at a critical juncture, as the subsidence of short-term economic crises gives way to a profound need for further structural reforms in emerging and developed markets, and international relations continue to be disrupted by an increasingly multipolar world.
“There is no place in the world where so many stakeholders of our global future assemble, all united by the mission of improving the state of the world,” said Klaus Schwab, the WEF founder and executive chairman.
fkane@thenational.ae
